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Re:ADE 651 by aww_dang on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:10AM (#28458227)
I imagine the device may have been as effective as other parts of security theatre. Operators simply had to observe how nervous their suspects were. The high price added a needed prentense to the technobabble. Wondering if some buyers understood this?
Re:ADE 651 by jdavis703 on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:19AM (#28458376)
Where I grew up they had checkpoints and would sometimes scan for car bombs. One guy had a mirror he’d use to look under the car, while a couple of other guys had assault weapons strapped to their chest. That seems like enough to make someone nervous without needing a $60k kit.
Re:ADE 651 by tyingq on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:15AM (#28458312)
Maybe, but it's a handle with a hole in it and a rod with a 90 degree bend at one end. Pretty sure you could find a cheaper source :)
Re:ADE 651 by CivBase on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:19AM (#28458390)
> The high price added a needed prentense to the technobabble.

How is a bomber supposed to know how much you payed for your high-tech dowsing rod?

Re:ADE 651 by aww_dang on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:53AM (#28458885)
Perhaps it has more to do with the personnel wielding the dowsing rod and the commanders who make them sign for the expensive equipment?
Re:ADE 651 by garyfirestorm on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:34AM (#28458618)
If they haven’t seen one in wild it must be very exclusive and hence expensive.
Re:ADE 651 by zamadatix on Wednesday September 08, 2021 @11:45AM (#28458771)
The stated goal is to make them think it's an expensive high end tool they haven't seen before to make them nervous. By definition if they don't know what it is you just wasted $60,000 to buy a rod they don't know about instead of... a $6 rod they also don't know about.

The only way the buyer was "in" on this being fake is via corruption and kickbacks.